Google Sweetened Motorola Deal With Arris By Promising To Cap Liability In TiVo’s Billion Dollar+ Patent Claim

During the analyst conference call discussing telecom manufacturer Arris’ just-announced acquisition of Motorola Home, one of the big topics (to Arris CEO Bob Stanzione’s apparent exasperation) was TiVo’s lawsuit against Motorola Mobility and its owner Google.

In an October court filing, TiVo claimed that Motorola is responsible for “massive production of infringing DVRs” that “dwarfs the numbers of accused products at issue in TiVo’s previous cases.” The filing also states, “TiVo’s damages claim is likely to run into the billions of dollars,” and it says that TiVo will try to get the courts to stop Motorola from selling the allegedly infringing products. (Motorola has its own patent-infringement claims against TiVo.)

The threat of a huge patent lawsuit would probably cast a cloud over any acquisition talks, but Stanzione said Google has actually agreed to cap Arris’ liability in the case to “a very small number.” He didn’t say what that number was, but when one of the analysts on the call asked if Arris might be liable for $1 billion in damages, Stanzione laughed and suggested that it was much lower than that — and he added that TiVo won’t necessarily win the case.

“It’s not something you have to worry about in terms of the financial impact on Arris,” he said, later adding, “Google has taken that risk off the table for Arris.”

Another analyst asked if it was possible that Arris would be threatened if TiVo won an injunction that stopped the sale of certain Motorola products. Stanzione acknowledged that the company would have “exposure” in that situation, “but we think that’s a very remote possibility.”

In addition to taking on the financial liability, Google will also continue to take the lead in the legal case, Stanzione said, while Arris is “going to help them as best as we can or as we’re asked to.”
Also on the patent front, Stanzione reiterated that as part of the deal, Arris is acquiring “a generous patent portfolio” and licenses to a broad range of Motorola Mobility patents.

iPhone 5 Availability and Price in India

The iPhone 5 has been revealed on Sep 12th as expected, but the biggest question now is when can we expect it in India?

Sources have confirmed that iPhone 5 will not be available in India at least for a few months mainly because of the new nano sim card which iPhone 5 features.

Unlike the common misconception that the nano SIM is just a reduced version of the normal Micro SIM and Standard SIM, it is not.



It is hard to imagine that Airtel and Aircel will be rolling out the iPhone 5 in India soon with the new SIM. They will take their own sweet time for their release and the price of iPhone 5 in India will likely be Rs.44,500 as was iPhone 4S.

We can also expect the iPhone 4S to go down by Rs.5,000 to Rs.7,000 in pricing. Even if it is not available for cheap in the retail stores, the black and grey market is sure to witness some awesome sales of the iPhone 4S.


If it takes too long for the iPhone 5 to be revealed, even I may buy an iPhone 4S for the time being because it is the same 8MP camera and one of the main reasons that I want the iPhone is for its camera and of course the ease and simplicity of the iOS.

Another major problem for iPhone 5 and Indian users is that most of the people who use iPhone 5 in India will not be able to use the 4G LTE because as far as I have seen, networks are charging an arm and a leg for LTE connectivity and also the reliability of the connections are quite low.

iFusion iPhone dock

As Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) takes off in the enterprise, companies are begin to test out whether becoming entirely mobile is plausible, and in doing so, some are deciding to scrap landline phones in favour of smartphones. While this this may be far off into the future for your company, it is slowly beginning to happen. And for those fortunate (or unfortunate - you decide) employees, I can imagine them becoming nostalgic for their old desk phones.

Come on, please tell me you agree that it is much more difficult to hook a shiny iPhone between your shoulder and ear while writing notes, rather than the comforting curve of a corded desk phone?

This iFusion handset looks like a traditional desk phone. It is there to feel familiar, comfortable and to seamlessly cross the landline/mobile divide. 

Connect your iPhone via Bluetooth and then if you like pop it on the charging dock so it feels like a desk phone and away you go. Place and accept calls through the product, which also includes a hands free option. It doesn't however feature Apple's new lightning connector, but because it is paired by Bluetooth, you can still use the iFusion with your iPhone 5, you just won't be able to charge your phone at the same time. 

It works quite simply, dial the number and talk to them through the receiver rather than the microphone on your mobile. The call quality was as good as the call quality on your mobile device, but most importantly you had the pleasurable feeling of being able to slam your phone receiver down in a rage, something that I feel is missing from the world of mobiles. 

Because your iPhone is docked, it works well in video conferencing situations, as you can sit back and converse through the receiver while watching the video in front of you.

I'd quite like to see a docking station which integrates an actual landline also, as more and more companies are starting to go even more mobile and are getting rid of landlines, this seems like the perfect stepping stone into a mobile orientated work environment. 

Is it the retro anti-gadget? It does seem to be cashing in on a retro feel of modern gadgets these days, although not quite as badly as the iPod gramophone, iTurntable or the iPad typewriter dock.

All it is missing is the dial tone.

The iFusion is available in black or white at Amazon for £129.99.

Samsung Galaxy Note II - Is this love that I'm feeling?

Despite my four years as a tech journalist, and several more as a gadget geek before that, I have rarely fallen in love with a mobile phone. I once had a Motorola that lit up with disco lights when it rang - which I dubbed 'Disco Phone' - but I have always tended towards flings, rather than full blown love affairs with these devices.

The thing is when you first unbox any handset, it is all shiny, new and begging to be played with.  But the novelty always wears off so quickly and within a matter of weeks you are looking elsewhere to trade in and trade up for the next new mobile with the even flashier lights.

Well, that is how you feel until you find the one ladies and gentleman, and I believe this time, my love is for keeps. 

The Samsung Galaxy Note II looks beautiful. It may be on the large size for some with its 5.5" screen, but for me this meant fewer mistakes when typing and made it a lot easier to find in my bag when having to sift through all my junk to answer a phone call. 

The 1,280 x 720 resolution on the HD Super AMOLED screen is crisp and clear, and together with the size of the screen makes watching videos, reading large documents or video calling with colleagues a pleasure rather than a chore. 

The screen also compliments the easy to use camera, giving you great views of your 8MP rear shooter or 1.9MP front facer with simple pinch to zoom design and auto focus. 

Despite its size, the Note II is surprisingly light at 180g - compared to the iPhone's 144g - and although it isn't made to slip in a pocket, it is thin enough - 9.44mm - to not take up much room in a laptop bag or briefcase.

Samsung Galaxy Note II Hits Korean Store Shelves (Photo credit: samsungtomorrow)

I never thought I would celebrate the return of the stylus either as my last one was part of the flimsy design of Nokia's Express Music phone, but this accessory is much sturdier and slips seamlessly into the casing of the device.

When using it on screen, you can hover the pointer over menus to allow for drop down options, and when your choice is made, the reactiveness of the screen is quick without being oversensitive. But it is all the extra features the Note II enables that make the stylus such a welcome addition. 

The handwriting recognition is superb and it became my default choice when sending emails or text messages to friends and colleagues. The ability to select sections of text or images and cut it out using the stylus was also great for collaborative work on large documents, but felt as easy - if not simpler - that doing it on a PC or laptop. 

The thing is the Note II is not designed as a basic phone. It is designed as a tool for multi-tasking with a built in component of being able to make calls. 

This is not the first time a smartphone has been advertised as this, in fact that is the point of most smartphones, but it is the first time I have used one that genuinely felt like a mini computer in your hand and would make me consider leaving the laptop at home.

It is only when calling that the Note II falls down. The positioning of the speaker for calls is too close to the edge of the device, meaning have to fiddle about with positioning before you get decent audio. Also, there is no denying you feel a tad silly holding 5.5" of plastic up to your face. 

But I can forgive this thanks to nifty Samsung ideas with calling, such as if you have someone's contact details on screen, you can lift the phone to your ear and it will automatically dial for you. Also, you can either swipe right if you want to send a text message or swipe left to make a call, depending on your preference for the contact. 

The only reason I can see that the Samsung Galaxy Note II won't be to everyone's tastes is purely physical. But I believe size matters for the better, and one week with this will leave your iPhone or BlackBerry feeling awkward and fiddly, whilst the Note II will make you realise how simple day to day tasks can become with a bigger screen.

It may be large, but it still pulls off sleek. It has the performance of a complex machine but the simplicity and usability of a Fisher Price calculator. Big is beautiful when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy Note II and I see a very happy future for the smartphone and me. 

Available free on Vodafone Red Business plan for £40.83 per month with a virtual landline number, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB mobile data and 2GB UK Wi-Fi

Top 8 ways to annoy a tech blogger

You may think that a tech blogger’s life is a glamorous whirl of free lunches, great gadgets and being bought drinks at conferences. If so then you are probably following the wrong bloggers. In fact, it’s more like a long round of typing, getting annoyed with PRs and founders and then some more (louder) typing.

The methods of annoying a tech blogger are myriad. So following the phenomenal success of “How to pitch to tech journalists“, we at VentureBeat have decided to enlighten the world on some of the most infuriating.


1. Having no respect for my time 

One of the few sane things I have seen Chris Sacca say (admittedly I only saw him speak once and that was in Amsterdam) is that email is a task list created for you by someone else. Of no one is this more true than the tech blogger. I am not an extension of  your marketing team so don’t treat me like I am.

When pitching, be succinct. Do not make me drag the story out of you, only to discover that there is no story. Do not corner me at an event and spend an hour trying to bludgeon me into writing about your company.

Be aware that a story on an established company is much more likely to get page views than one about an unknown startup. So it’s a bigger investment for a blogger to write about you at an early stage. Be gracious in return.

2. Taking constructive criticism as an insult

If I don’t write about your company but give some feedback on the product or pitch, don’t get angry. Tech bloggers can be shorted-sighted, prejudiced or just plain wrong, but we do hear a lot of pitches and may have something useful to tell you.

If I have replied to the pitch or given feedback on the demo without doing an article, that’s an investment of my time for which I have received nothing in return. I recently explained to one founder why I wasn’t going to write about his company and suggested some alternative outlets. Instead of getting offended he said “Thanks for the tips and for reminding me what being a real journalist means.” Now that’s stylish.

3. Claiming to “love my work” 

This is often followed by a pitch for a story that is nowhere near the topics I normally cover. Don’t claim to know my work unless you do. You don’t have to be a fan to convince me to write about you (although obviously it helps). Bloggers want interesting stories. All you have to do is be interesting, and preferably nice too.

4. Lying, including lying by omission

Do not tell me that this is an exclusive when it isn’t or neglect to mention that three other rival publications have already covered the story. Don’t inflate the number of users, employees or customers. Don’t make claims that are just not true. If we publish these “facts” we end up looking stupid and will never write about your company again.

Similarly, do not send corrections to your basic PR info after the story has been published. You should get it right before you send it.

5. Pitching over the phone

Most bloggers have a preferred method of contact. Here at VentureBeat, it’s email to tips@venturebeat.com.
Don’t over-rule that and contact us via phone, Skype or by throwing stones at our window. Pitching over the phone is particularly annoying because we then have to take notes and later turn them into something legible.

6. Mailing me the same story 5 times

It’s perfectly acceptable to resend a pitch email. It might have been a busy news day. We might have had a day off. But sending the same story more than twice, in the hope that we will miraculously see the light, is just plain annoying. Don’t do it.

7. Mis-managing embargos 

Don’t set an embargo time and then change it. There is always some idiot who won’t get the message and will publish at the original time. Pick a time and stick to it.

Also do not hold everyone to an embargo except for one publication. That’s like promising everyone a slice of cake and then giving the whole cake to someone else.

8. Sending out an unannounced news release on Sunday night
Because we don’t spend all our time typing.

Sony HDRPJ260V High Definition Handycam Camcorder

Being one of the latest 2012 models, the Sony HDRPJ260V is a compact camcorder with many useful features. Equipped with a 16GB internal flash memory, this video camera is readily usable and can record up to 3 hours of video in HDLP quality.

There is an additional capability to shoot stills with resolution up to 8.9 Megapixels.

Main Features of Sony HDRPJ260V

Full HD Video Recording – Offering the highest resolution of 1920 x 1080 with 60i recording, the Sony HDRPJ260V lets the user to shoot videos in full high definition. With a highly sensitive Back-illuminated Exmor CMOS sensor, low-light situations can be captured with reduced noise and grains. Combined with the Optical SteadyShot Image stabilization and three-way shake cancellation features, the result is an amazingly clear and smooth footage.

Advanced Audio Capabilities – The HDRPJ260V Camcorder comes with improved audio input (5.1 channel surround mic) and output (Clear Phase stereo speakers with digital amplification). The capabilities can be expanded with the help of external mic and headphone inputs. With advanced acoustic processor and improved noise reduction techniques, the voices are clearly recorded after cancelling out wind noise and other distortions.
Sony G Wide Angle Lens – Manufactured using superior Sony technology, this fine lens captures all colors and details close to reality. Optical zoom is capable of reaching 30 times farther and extended zoom increases it up to 55x. High clarity is maintained even at greater zoom levels.
Built-in Projector – This attractive feature brings alive the video recordings anywhere and is a great way of sharing memories with friends. It displays the videos in high contrast and projects well on screens or any clear surface up to 100 inches wide diagonally.

Intelligent Auto Mode – The compact Sony Handycam offers up to 120 combination of scene modes, which include tripod, walk, landscape, portrait, baby, back light, low light, spot light and many more, to cater to a wide variety of situations. This offers lot of choice to the user without having to bother about appropriate lighting and exposure.
Face Detection, Smile Detection and Tracking Focus – With these features, it is easy to locate a moving subject, a baby for instance, and maintain the focus on it while recording a video. A simple touch on the LCD is required to choose the object of focus, and the camcorder does the rest. The focus is maintained even when the subject goes in and out of the frame. The Smile Detection automatically clicks a picture during a video, whenever it sees a smiling face.
Highlight Playback – This function is a better alternative to tedious video editing. With this mode, it is easy to compile only the key shots into a complete movie with background music and transition effects. This task can be done within the camcorder itself without having to connect to a computer.

File Transfer Options – A built-in USB cable, which sits conveniently in the hand strap, enables PC connection for easy access of files and software without needing a separate cable. This cable also serves to recharge the camcorder. There is also a facility to connect directly to an external hard drive for file transfer without using a computer. This establishes a two way connection, which allows video files on HDD to be played back in the camera.
Built-in GPS Receiver – This feature is highly useful while travelling, which automatically tags your video with locations and allows viewing them on the built-in map display. With this function, the internal clock is also adjusted automatically to the changing time zones.

Negative Aspects

While many other features of HDRPJ20V are commendable, the absence of viewfinder may be bothersome, especially while trying to get a video in strong light. To take advantage of some of the features, especially HDTV playback and External HDD connection, compatible cables should be bought separately. Another limitation is that the video format is not compatible with Apple devices and needs to be converted using external software.

53 Of The Best Tech Blogs Out There

On Twitter yesterday, I asked my followers for some of their favorite blogs. I got some great answers, which I’ll share, but what was more interesting to me was how many people were in my situation: liking reading blogs, and finding it harder and harder to find new good ones.

I’ve also realized that, for most people, blogs are still a totally foreign concept. We don’t know how to find good ones, how to use those to find others, or how to connect to this whole crazy blogging world. I think that’s why the reactions to my lists of great business blogs and great blogs for foodies
were hits.

Let’s be honest: my thing is tech. I read tech, write tech, talk tech, eat, sleep and breathe tech. With that in mind, what better to share than some of my favorite tech blogs?

The number could probably be higher, but here’s 53 fantastic tech blogs you really ought to read.

Some are super nerdy and for techies only, but many aren’t, and are an awesome way to access the tech world and the blogging world all at the same time.

(A disclaimer: I’ve written, or still write, for a number of these blogs. But I write for them because I love them, so my recommendation shouldn’t be tainted whatsoever. I hope.)

Tech News and Analysis

TechCrunch – LOTS of news. Not always right, but always interesting and frequently first.
VentureBeat – A firehose of news about startups, innovation, and cool products coming in the tech world.
GigaOm – Some news, but mostly really smart analysis of the tech world.
ReadWriteWeb- Ditto above. Some news, lots of smart people talking tech.
Wired– Less about startups and the valley, more about tech and real life.
The Next Web – Funnier, more lighthearted, but still great news.
Webware – News, always with a focus on “what does it mean for users?”
Mashable – Nowhere else to go for social media news, this one’s dominant.
Bits – Not a lot of exclusive content, but brilliant writers and smart commentary.
The Unofficial Apple Weblog – An awesome resource for anything and everything Apple.
Business Insider Tech – Very business-heavy, but great angles on news stories.
Ars Technica – Heavy on the geekery, but full of interesting thoughts and niche pieces.
Reddit Technology – Not a blog per se, but a great source for tech news and other edifying and entertaining content.

Tech and Web Design

Six Revisions – Tips, tools, and great lists of design resources.
Smashing Magazine – Perfect site for the designer newbie, full of great tips and tutorials.
Noupe – I love their roundups (like “50 best free icon sets”), and constantly bookmark this site.
Hongkiat – Basically ditto above, but with a slightly broader focus in design.
I Love Typograhy – Love fonts and typefaces? Can’t beat this site.
Design Observer – More tips, tricks, and tutorials.
Swiss Miss – The musings of a designer, with a heavy focus on the funky and quirky bits of the design world.

How-Tos and Reviews

MakeUseOf – Endless resource of Top 10 Lists, and geeky hacks you might want to try.
gHacks – Deeper cuts in tech than MUO, but still great for news, tips, and tutorials.
Lost in Technology – Much more approachable than the above sites, it’s a great blog to wade into without much knowledge required.
Mac AppStorm – The best Mac apps on the planet get showcased here.
Web AppStorm – Ditto above, but with Web apps.
FreelanceSwitch – Tips, tools, tricks and help for anyone living the freelance lifestyle (more and more of us these days).
40Tech – Encountering tech, particularly geared toward those over 40, but really useful for anyone.

Commentators

Daring Fireball – John Gruber is the smartest man on the planet when it comes to Apple.
Pogue’s Posts – David Pogue’s funny, smart, and a great representative of the common man.
Scripting News – Dave Winer’s as important to the tech landscape as anyone (he’s the godfather of RSS, among other things), and his thoughts on any subject are a must-read.
Search Engine Land – Danny Sullivan knows his stuff when it comes to search—and there’s a lot more to it than you might think.
All Things D – A group of thinkers from the Wall Street Journal, all discussing, analyzing and talking tech. My favorite? Kara Swisher.
Dustin Curtis – I love the way his site looks more than anything, but he’s a great observer of the world of blogging, design, and art.
MinimalMac – Mostly a links roundup, but a phenomenal resource for anyone looking to make their Mac work for them.
Robert Scoble – The blog of author, tech evangelist, & Rackspace employee Robert Scoble.

Tips, Tricks and Hackery

Lifehacker – The grand poobah of “little things to make your life more productive, more efficient, and more awesome” blogs.
Digital Inspiration – Amit is clever, easy to understand, and full of cool and interesting tips for everyone.
Unclutterer – Much-needed help for getting the crap out of our way so we can get important things done.
HackCollege – Tons of useful tips on hacking college and succeeding in school, but with ideas useful for anyone.
Smarterware – Gina, the founder of Lifehacker, took to Smarterware to share more great tricks, and never disappoints.
Lifehack – Somewhat broader in its thinking than Lifehacker, but a great place to find tips to make every little piece of your life work a little better.
Switched – All things geek, particularly the culture of techies that is forming.
Make Magazine – Do awesome stuff with your stuff. That should totally be their tagline.

Cool Stuff

Gizmodo – Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets!
Engadget – Oh my goodness, more gadgets!
Boy Genius Report – They’re full of rumors and leaks, and are almost always right.
jkOnTheRun – Arguably the most seasoned gadget-heads out there, they’re a smart, thoughtful, and objective resource for all things gadget and mobile.

For Funsies

Xkcd – Want to know how nerds think? Read this comic. That’s exactly it.
Boing Boing – The interesting, quirky, strange, and weird things in the tech world.
Neatorama – Awesome things. I think that’s their only criteria for inclusion, and they stick to it well.
There’s a lot here, many of which may not be for everyone. But there’s an incredible amount of quality in the tech blogosphere, and I’m willing to bet there’s something out there for everyone, no matter who you are or what you know.
What’s on your tech blogroll? Share it in the comments!